We were happy to see Jodi Duckett, the Call's entertainment guru, shine her spotlight on Allen High grad Amanda Seyfried (the blonde at right) this week. Anything that reminds folks that Allentown's place in pop culture extends beyond that damned song is cool with us.

Seyfried's apparently in that new ABBA musical we keep seeing commercials for, but we'll not-so-secretly always think of her as our favorite Mean Girl and the catalyst to the first, and best, season of "Veronica Mars."

We decided to use Jodi's story as an excuse to look at other famous folks from the QC. For instance, did you know Michaela Conlin (at left), who plays the best bud of the main character of "Bones," is from A-town? (And, as a sidebar, did you know the main character's name is "Temperance?" We can't decide if that's awesome, or the complete opposite.)

Another famous QCer: Lara Jill Miller, who played Sam on "Gimme A Break!" We kinda loved that show when we were little, and still feel like a sitcom isn't really funny unless its title ends with an exclamation point!

So our counterparts in Bethlehem have been doing cartwheels all day because apparently "Transformers 2" starlet Megan Fox was spotted in the X-mas City.

The Queen City's about to have that beat, though. Next week, Bret Michaels will be here. That's right: Bret Michaels.

Mr. Michaels - best known to members of a certain generation as the lead singer of Poison, and best known to members of our generation as star of the ridiculously awesome (awesomely ridiculous?) reality show "Rock of Love" - will be playing at Croc Rock next week. At least we think he'll be playing, and not selecting his next "rock star girlfriend."

Yeah, we're still a little bummed that the Christmas City, not the QC, gets to host some robots in disguise. We perked up last night, though, when Allentown got name-checked on "The Office."

Viewers found out that Jan, Michael's unbalanced ex on the Scranton-set show, is pregnant, and she's been coming to A-town for Lamaze classes.

We checked with motherly Morning Call health reporter Ann Wlazelek this morning, and she said it's doubtful anyone would really decide to make the hour-and-a-half trek from Scranton to Allentown for Lamaze. So what. We're just excited the city's getting a plug on one of our favorite shows.

And maybe, just maybe, this means some folks from the show will come here for a visit. Aaron Sagers, the MC's entertainment editor, wrote last year about how the show has boosted Scranton's tourism, and about how cast members went to the Electric City for a convention last year.

We know A-town isn't nearly so central to the show, but couldn't one or two of them pop down to see us? We'd looooooove it if Pam came. We think Meredith would fit in well here. We'd even settle for Creed. If it helps, we'll give one-thousand Schrute-bucks to the first "Office"-mate who comes here.

The QCD's sandwich-love isn't quite Tribbiani-esque, but it's still a pretty potent force in our lives.

So we were a little shaken today to find out that LaManna's, the Hamilton Street sub shop that's popular with the courthouse crowd and QCDers alike, may no longer be there to tide us over at lunchtime.

We were surprised to find the shop closed last week when we stopped there, but assumed (and hoped) that the LaManna family had decided a mid-winter vacation was in order to escape the crummy weather. It was closed again today, though, and workers at the neighboring Pizza Mart say it's been dark for a while, and they think it may be gone for good.

The shop's telephone number was changed recently, and we left a voice-mail at the new number, but we haven't heard back yet. If anyone else knows what's going on and wants to pass it along, it'd be much appreciated.

In the meantime, we'll be debating the merits of the shop's different sandwiches. LaManna's was noted for its specialty sandwiches named after NFL teams, and we always had a soft spot for the Philadelphia Eagle - honey-maple ham, melted cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted kaiser roll. Far more satisfying than the football team it's named after...

Anyone catch the Grammys on TV last night? Even if you did, you would have missed Allentown resident Alex Meixner, who missed out on becoming the first Lehigh Valley resident to win the award. (Lots of awards, including the one for Best Polka Album, are announced before the live broadcast.)

The LV was 0-2 last night. Berks County resident Taylor Swift didn't win Best New Artist.

Hollywood has turned its back on our fair city, but we at the QCD have not! We have a variety city news to get you caught up for the week ahead.

Categories:Television
Posted by Paul Muschick at 06:14:06 PM on June 20, 2007

PBS 39 TO AIR STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA - PENNSYLVANIA'S MAYORS: LIVE FROM SCRANTON JUNE 21

(Lehigh Valley, PA)June 15, 2007PBS 39 will air a live call-in remote production from the 108th Annual Pennsylvania League of Cities & Municipalities (PLCM) Convention. State of Pennsylvania - PA's Mayors: Live from Scranton, will air 7:00pm Thursday, June 21 on PBS 39.

Broadcast live from Scranton's Radisson Hotel, the program will feature a roundtable discussion with mayors representing each of the seven Pennsylvania Public Broadcasting viewing areas, including the mayors of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Viewer questions & comments will be welcome from around the state via a toll-free 800 number.

PLCM is the only statewide association providing a voice for urban municipalities at the local, state and federal levels. PLCM strives to present a forum for municipal officials to meet and discuss issues, share ideas and solve problems. This convention is the chance for delegates to share experiences and network with other local leaders from across the state.

Both Mayor John B. Callahan of Bethlehem and Mayor Ed Pawlowski of Allentown serve on the Board of Directors of PLCM. Mayor Callahan also serves as co- chair of the Legislative Committee, as well as on the National League of Cities Policy Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources.